Mistletoes and Poinsettias used to adorn my flat. They help set the mood as they complement all the other trimmings. I have given them up, though, for my son's safety.

As innocent and pretty as it may seem, some of the natural Christmas decorations we have grown to love may be poisonous. Mistletoes, holly berries, oleanders, poinsettias and the Jerusalem cherry plants have toxins which could induce vomiting, nausea and/or diarrhoea.

Of course, we could try to keep them out of our children's way but, a stray leaf might be enough to cause our child discomfort. And we all know how kids are -- the little ones are prone to putting whatever they find in their mouths. We wouldn't want to risk an accident, would we?

For more Winter Holiday Safety and Poison Prevention Tips, check out the guideline posted by California Poison Control System. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Should a child accidentally consume any of these plants with toxic substances, contact your poison control center or call 1-800-222-1222. However, if the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911.

When we deck the halls with boughs of holly, we must make sure that we have our child's safety in mind.